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Using the N-word in a classroom setting by a professor is completely inconsistent with the values, goals and mission of Emory University and Emory University School of Law.

I am a 1996 graduate of the Emory University School of Law, a practicing attorney and a commissioner of Fulton County. My father, Judge Marvin Arrington Sr., was among the first blacks to graduate from Emory University School of Law in 1967.

There is no set of circumstances nor facts that make Professor Zwier’s choice to use the N-word justifiable or acceptable; his choice to use the N-word is the only fact that matters.

The mission, goals and core values of the Emory University School of Law and Emory University are stated on their websites, and the use of the N-word does not comport with any of those.

Neither Zwier nor the university can escape the university’s own language. I submit to you his comments were not in the service of humanity. I submit to you he does not meet the high standards of Intelligence, competence, and integrity. I submit his use of the N-word does not welcome a diversity of ethnicities. I submit that his use of the N-word does not result in positive social energy. I submit that he is not an asset to the university. I submit that his choice to use the N-word does not show a commitment to humane teaching and mentorship and a respectful interaction among faculty, students and staff. There is nothing respectful nor humane about his choice to use the N-word in a law school classroom setting.

I implore the university and law school to follow their mission, goals and core values statements and remove him today. If not, then the university itself has no integrity and is not humane nor respectful.

I am asking for Professor Zwier to resign or to be terminated immediately. I further ask for the resignation and/or termination of anyone that thinks it is acceptable for him to stay, including the dean of the law school and the president of the university.

Even in 1966 and 1967, when my father attended Emory, the professors dared not use such an offensive word. How or why could anyone think use of the N-word is appropriate in a classroom in 2018?

How can anyone support such use by their staff? How can the response be anything other than “use of the N-word in a classroom setting by a professor, is totally inappropriate and a direct violation of our mission, goals and core values, and we have severed all ties with the offender”?

I am inviting all who oppose the use of the N-word by Professor Zwier to join me on Wednesday, Oct. 3, at 4 p.m., at Emory University School of Law for a rally to uphold the mission, goals and core values of Emory University and for the removal of Professor Zwier and anyone that thinks that it is OK for him to stay at Emory University.

Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them, and these will continue till they are resisted with either words or blows, or with both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress.

We will not submit to his use of the n word and will resist it and any tacit approval of its use at Emory University. Emory is better than this and the Emory community deserves better. We demand more of Emory and its leadership.

The Southern Center for Human Rights will honor Don Samuel and Chris Stewart at its annual Justice Taking Root benefit.

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